Ped Neurologist ?

Hi! In reading many post, i have noticed that many people recommend seeing a ped neurologist. My doc has not mentioned this at all. In fact, NO medical testing has been done on my 3 1/2 yr old. She was diagnosed by a developmental ped after spending about 2 hours with us and reviewing a questionnaire. I think it probably is ADHD based on my daughter's extreme impulsivity but meds are not working for her because of the side effects. Yes, she's calmer while on them but her personality is becoming grumpier and hateful!! We tried ritalin but she developed a motor tic. Adderall (7.5 mg) seemed to be working but she began using the words stupid and shut up on a regular and argumentative basis (don't you love daycare). She also developed a tic of clearing her throat up to 18 times PER MINUTE when we went to adderall XR. After that, we have taken her off until we can see a ped psychiatrist. The potty mouth now only comes about once a day and I can tell that it is normal "testing" of language to see what we will do. On the meds, she would shout a stream of it MANY times a day and nothing would make her stop. I am just wondering if we should try some other avenues as well such as the neurologist. What would he/she do?

Thank you!

My son hasn't ever seen a neurologist so I can't really give any info on that but I do know that there is no "medical" test for ADHD. It's diagnosed mostly through evaluation of the behaviors (questionaires, observation etc). If she's getting grumpy and hateful then I think you're right- it's a side effect. It sounds like you just haven't found the right medicine yet. Keep trying!

I HIGHLY recommend a psychiatrist. We had the best luck with a psychiatrist. She is much more experienced in the medicines and the side effects. We were able to find the right combo of meds a lot quicker once we got with her.

My son is on Ritalin but it still made him emotional and irritable so the doc added Tenex and it's been great ever since! It just takes time and a lot of trial and error to get it right. Good luck!

She actually takes clonodine at night which I believe is very similar to Tenex (?). This has helped tremendously with getting her settled down enough to go to sleep! Her appt with the ped psych isn't until Nov. but we are on a cancellation list and hoping to get in earlier. Thanks for your advice!Try looking fr some one in your area that does Neuro reorganization or HANDLE, or Rhythmic Movement Therapy. Your child is only 3 1/2 . Was there any trauma in her young life? Medical problems for you or her? Maybe a break up with dad? Something while you were pregnant? Trauma can make the developmental things that are supposed to happen go wrong. A movement based therapy give the growing brain a second chance to mylinete. No trauma really. She is a twin and was born at 33 1/2 weeks. She was the bigger twin weighing in at 5 lbs 6 oz and did not require oxygen or any other interventions at birth.

Welcome to the board There's2 Because your child was born prematurely, I would definitely start with a pediatric neurologist who will also do a physical exam and during the testing process, the neurologist will rule in or out other things. ADHD and many other disorders are neuro biological and this is what a neurologist specializes in. Premature babies are at higher risk in terms of a disability so IMO, seeing a neurologist is a good place to start.

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